Abingdon County Hall Museum

NEWS AND EVENTS

Archaeology Matters
28th July 2011 - 10.30am - 3.30pm Roysse Room, Guildhall

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Abingdon’s Royal Wedding Bun Flight!
Friday 29th April 2011 - Abingdon Market Place

From Baking to Throwing!! 

To celebrate the marriage of H.R.H. Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton, Abingdon Town Council organised a bun throwing ceremony from the top of the County Hall Museum in the Market Place, and 4,000 currant buns were thrown to the waiting crowds below.  Recent bun throwing occasions have witnessed bun throwers using novel ways of propelling the buns including the use of tennis racquets and catapults.

The tradition of bun throwing from the top of the magnificent Grade 1 Listed County Hall on significant royal occasions can be traced back to the Coronation of George III in 1761. Originally 500 penny buns were distributed to the townsfolk. Since then, royal weddings and significant anniversaries have been marked in this unusual way. In 2002, buns were thrown to mark H.M. The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and in 2006 as part of the 450^th anniversary of Abingdon’s town charter.

The Museum’s photographer took pictures throughout the day to record this momentous occasion, from the early morning baking of 4,000 special buns at Millet’s Bakery, through to their delivery at the County Hall Museum.

Video of spectators view (click here)

For more information about this unique custom, visit the Bun Throwing page on this website.